Marine parks

To help protect our native species and the beautiful marine environment they call home, South Australia has created a system of marine parks as an investment in the state’s future.

Within marine parks sanctuary zones have been created, which are important for conservation, and do not allow mining, dredging, aquaculture or trawling. Within these sanctuary zones, fishing will also be phased out by 1 October 2014. This will give marine animals places to retreat for breeding, caring for young and growing to adulthood. It also provides opportunities for nature-based tourism, education and research.

Marine park sanctuary zones have been carefully designed to avoid popular recreational fishing areas; and access to jetties, boat ramps and popular beaches won't be affected. The sanctuary zones only take up six per cent of South Australian waters, leaving plenty of places to wet a line.

There are two marine parks within the Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region.

The Encounter Marine Park is in the southern part and offers some of Australia’s best-preserved ocean wilderness, from amazing dive sites and spectacular reefs to vitally important fish breeding and shelter areas.

Remember that all vessels must keep a distance of 300m from any marine mammal within the Encounter Bay whale calving and nursery area.

The northern western tip of the region extends into the Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park, which offers plenty of opportunities to explore the coastal habitats that support the variety of marine species that visit the area.

Both parks offer great fishing spots and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the diverse marine life.